September 1963

From The Space Library

NASA Research Advisory Committee on Missile and Space Vehicle Structures issued its conclusions regard space structures problems of the 1970's. Committee considered structural problems arising from need for larger spacecraft, reusable spacecraft, higher re-entry velocities, integration of nuclear and /or electric propulsion systems in spacecraft and greater spacecraft maneuverability. Report stressed multipurpose minimum-weight structures emphasizing maximum efficiency for lowest material cost. (Av. Wk., 9/16/63, 71)

In Washington ceremony, Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. (Lt. Col., USMC) presented U.S. flag he carried during orbital space flight in FRIENDSHIP 7 to Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Lt. Gen. Charles H. Hayes. Flag would be placed in Marine Corps Museum. (A-N-AF Journal & Reg., 9/28/63, 8)

Thirty NASA astronaut candidates underwent physical examinations at School of Aerospace Medicine. Final Selection would be made next month. (M&R, 9/2/63,12)

NASA Manned Spacecraft Center awarded $30,500 contract to Whirl­pool Corp. for design and development of feeding system for four astronauts for long periods of time, first hardware fabrica­tion for Space station Simulation facility. (M&R, 9/9/63, 9)

JPL awarded Avco Corp. Research and Advanced Development Div. an $83,000 contract for Study of entry and landing of ballistic capsules on Mars and Venus. (M&R, 9/2/63, 12)

NASA issued "Reliability Program Provisions for Space System Contractors," Set of guidelines to strengthen and unify reliability and reliability assurance methods in spacecraft and launch vehicle development. This was companion to and consistent with previous NASA publications "Quality Program Provisions for pace Systems Contractors" and "Inspection System Provisions for Suppliers of Space Materials, Parts, Components and Services." (NPC 250-1).

NASA awarded $39,000 grant to Amateur Rocket­eers of America (ARA) to produce educational and safety materi­als kits for young people interested in rocketry. (Marshall Star, 10/2/63,10)

Hughes Aircraft Co., NASA contractor for Syncom communications satellite, outlined design features of military synchronous communication satellite for USAF Space Systems Div. and Aerospace Corp. (Av. Wk., 9/9/63, 23)

Laser for space communications was patented by AF scientist Janis A. Sirons. (A&AE, Nov., 1963, 11)

Soviet press reported refined flight parameters for VOSTOK III and VOSTOK IV manned space flights: VOSTOK III apogee, 234.6 km.; perigee, 180.7 km.; period, 88.33 min. VOSTOK IV apogee, 236.7 km.; perigee, 179.8 km.; period, 88.39 min. (Space Bus. Daily, 9/9/63, 357)

Reduction of France's 1964 civilian space budget from $70 million to $48 million announced in Paris by General Aubiniere, Presi­dent of Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, who explained reduction was part of France's economic austerity program. (M&R, 9/30/63,18)

In an article in the September issue of Aerospace magazine, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson pointed out some of the many advantages to be gained from the lunar project: " The lunar project has forced us to develop many com­petences which have military as well as non-military signifi­cance. These are competences which we would have been slow to develop were it not for this national moon objective. For example, rendezvous technique so basic to our moon project is essential to detecting and examining other spacecraft which may be hostile. Life protective measures are essential to a useful police force in space for maintaining the peace. Powerful rock­ets, reliability of space equipment, development of control and guidance systems, experience with manned spacecraft, etc., are all spin-offs from the lunar project, which help build our defense capability." (Text, Aerospace, Sept. 1963)

Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of National Aero­nautics and Space Council, compared U.S. and U.S.S.R. space achievements in General Electric Forum: "1. U.S. has put about 4 times as many payloads into earth orbit (approximately 130). "2. U.S.S.R. has put substantially more weight into earth orbit with its smaller number of payloads. "3. U.S. space applications in weather, communications, and navigation have been impressive. U.S.S.R. has potential in these fields but not accomplishments. "4. Both nations have obtained remarkable amounts of scien­tific data, with no measurable advantage to either country. "5. U.S.S.R. has operational more powerful rockets than U.S., while the U.S. is developing more powerful ones than any known to be in U.S.S.R. " 6. U.S.S.R. is ahead in manned space flight. "7. Since the race began ratio of successes to failures has been comparable. In 1962, UR had one payload launching failure for each five successes." (GE Forum,7-9/63,23)

NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden said in General Electric Forum interview: ". . . There is no ques­tion that Setting definite technical tasks before people does motivate them. For instance, war efforts generally provide goals and accelerate progress-jet propulsion, electronics, miniaturization, and other technological advances. Along the Same line, one of the major byproducts of space research has been a revitalization of education, getting people interested in scientific knowledge again-and particularly important, getting young people inter­ested in Science and technology." (GE Forum, 7-9/63, 20)

Results of Research Institute of America's survey of more than 1,400 businessmen on U.S. goals and national policy, published in General Electric Forum, revealed 21 % considered present expenditure on space fully warranted, 41% considered it probably fully warranted, 27%-probably not, and 11%-not warranted. Other replies To "In years immediately ahead, what should be level of Space expenditure, in relation to GNP?" 6% Said "sharply higher than present expenditures, 16%-a little higher, 38%-remain at about the present ratio, 24%-a little lower, and 16%-sharply lower. To "Assuming that national policy in the immediate future corresponds to your answer above, do you believe that the U.S. will exceed the Russians in Space achievements by 1970?" 38% Said probably will exceed the Russians, 44%-will approximately equal them and 18% -probably will not equal them. Asked to identify a statement closest reflecting their opinion on what space policy should be, 66% checked the statement "Our prime objective should be to sustain a prudent and orderly pro­gram of scientific progress in Space achievements with little re­gard for who leas in this or that particular aspect of space technology." Asked about the military role in the U.S. Space program, 16% replied it Should be greater, 67%-about the same, and 17%­smaller. (GE Forum, July-Sept. 63, 31,39)

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